Infertility - Balance Hormone Clinic

What is infertility?

Infertility refers to the biological inability to conceive or carry a pregnancy to full term after having regular, unprotected sexual intercourse for at least a year. This medical condition affects an estimated 1 in 8 couples in the US.

There are two main categories of infertility:

• Primary infertility refers to couples who have never had a successful pregnancy.
• Secondary infertility occurs when a couple cannot conceive again after already having one or more biological children.

What causes infertility?

There are many potential causes of infertility in both men and women:

• Hormonal imbalances - Irregularities in hormones like follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estrogen, prolactin etc. can disrupt ovulation in women and sperm production in men.
• Structural problems in the reproductive system - Issues like blocked fallopian tubes, uterine fibroids, endometriosis etc. in women and varicocele, infections etc. in men.
• Unhealthy lifestyle factors - Being overweight or underweight, smoking, alcohol abuse, stress etc. negatively impact fertility.
• Advancing parental age - Fertility starts declining after 35 in women and 40 in men.
• Unexplained infertility - No identifiable cause is found in 10-30% cases despite evaluation.

In many cases, infertility arises from a combination of factors in both partners. Hence, it's important for both partners to get evaluated.

How is infertility evaluated and treated?

The basic infertility workup includes:

• Medical history and physical exam
• Hormone testing - FSH, LH, estrogen, testosterone etc.
• Ovulation tracking
• Imaging tests - transvaginal ultrasound, hysterosalpingogram etc.
• Semen analysis

Based on test results, the doctor determines the appropriate treatment option such as:

• Timed intercourse
• Ovulation induction with oral medicines
• Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
• Assisted reproductive techniques like IVF or ICSI
• Surgery to correct structural issues

Newer technologies like preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) also help identify chromosomally normal embryos and improve IVF success rates.

For couples struggling with infertility issues, my clinic Balance Hormone Clinic offers comprehensive fertility solutions under one roof. Our world-class IVF lab, innovativeprotocols and highly qualified reproductive endocrinologists can help maximize your chances of conception. We also provide psychological counseling and support groups to address the emotional aspects. Schedule an appointment for an in-depth evaluation and customized treatment plan to meet your family building goals today!

I hope this gives you a good overview of what infertility means, what causes it, and how it can be treated effectively. Let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions!